New poster- I know families so happy with both Winnetka and Wilmette schools. Winnetka is more project based learning but has trended toward a more traditional education in recent years. It’s no longer a fully “play based” kindergarten. Many kids thrive at NT- you have to see what kind of student you have to know if staying in public or switching to private is right. A lot of that pressure cooker stuff comes from families, not the school.

I'm bumping this old thread to hear of any updates. Which districts or schools did you end up in? Another NS family here looking at public but also at Catholic schools because large publics like NT here seem so cutthroat and grindy and secular privates are out of budget. Loyola and Northridge Prep look like match some of our priorities - any recent feedback or reputational info? Also considering Northridge Prep Middle --> NTHS

Thank you previous posters, I appreciate the helpful info!

Anonymous wrote:We had kids in District 39 (Wilmette) from K-4th grade. I agree with PP that Romona is the most diverse of the Wilmette schools. I also know a lot of families who love McKenzie. I don’t get the same close-knit feel from Harper or Central families. You should also be aware that Wilmette elementary schools are K-4, with a middle school for grades 5-6 and a junior high for grades 7-8. So if you wanted to go private at 6th, you’d end up spending a year at Highcrest Middle School.

I’m not as familiar with the differences between elementary schools in Winnetka, but District 36 is definitely more progressive. Wilmette is pretty traditional.

A lot of families also love Avoca District 37, which is tiny - one elementary school and one middle school. I would guess it falls between Wilmette & Winnetka on the progressiveness front, but I don’t know for sure.

One other thing to be aware of is that both Wilmette and Winnetka have half day kindergarten, but they handle it a bit differently. Just this year, all four Wilmette elementary schools do offer a fully day program, but you pay for it, and the second half of the day is not formally part of the curriculum. I don't know who runs it or what they do - it would be something to look into if you have younger kids. Winnetka has half day and extended day options for free, plus an additional option for a play-based extension for a fee. For either district, if you want the full day / extension option, I'd ask whether they have space for all of the kids who want to participate.

Winnetka has also been going through redistricting, so while your kids, coming in new, would go to the newly districted school for your area, you might have neighborhood kids attending different schools who were grandfathered in under the old system. That will depend on where you live.

As far as divisions between grades go, Winnetka has three K-4 elementary schools, grades 5-6 in one building, and grades 7-8 in a different building. So that's the same as Wilmette. Avoca has one K-5 elementary school and one 6-8 middle school, which might fit better with your plans to move to private in 6th.

We had kids in District 39 (Wilmette) from K-4th grade. I agree with PP that Romona is the most diverse of the Wilmette schools. I also know a lot of families who love McKenzie. I don’t get the same close-knit feel from Harper or Central families. You should also be aware that Wilmette elementary schools are K-4, with a middle school for grades 5-6 and a junior high for grades 7-8. So if you wanted to go private at 6th, you’d end up spending a year at Highcrest Middle School.

I’m not as familiar with the differences between elementary schools in Winnetka, but District 36 is definitely more progressive. Wilmette is pretty traditional.

A lot of families also love Avoca District 37, which is tiny - one elementary school and one middle school. I would guess it falls between Wilmette & Winnetka on the progressiveness front, but I don’t know for sure.

Thanks so much! This is exactly the boots on the ground type of response that is helpful!
I get what you are saying about New Trier…in my current town we have a similar high school. I feel like it depends so much on what the child is like whether the environment would be a good match. We are looking at Northridge Prep in Niles for 6-12 for our son. It is smaller and seems like it would be a good match for the older years. I’d like to go public for elementary school. If you discover any good insights please let me know here and I’ll do the same

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone comment on the progressive educational philosophy at the Winnetka public elementary schools?
I find the concept attractive and like that the district is small enough that they can have a distinct educational style.
Do you know if in reality the Wilmette and Winnetka elementary schools teach in a similar way?
Obviously the outcomes for both are good.
Thanks in advance!

Hi - Not sure you're going to get much help here. I grew up mostly in Wilmette, now live in Glenview with two small kids, and am considering moving - and perhaps to a New Trier school.

What I can say is that even within Wilmette, the elementary schools aren't the same. An acquaintance who teaches at the Kenilworth elementary (so she knows something about education) moved her family from east Wilmette to west Wilmette so the kids could go to Romona - just a different environment that the east Wilmette school. And I just met a Glenview mom who is a special ed teacher at Romona and thinks it's the best school in the area (and way better than Glenview schools). Sure, these are just anecdotes, I know. But it's tough to learn more.

I'm considering Romona. You get a great school and more diversity, both racially and socioeconomically, than in the other Wilmette schools - or in Winnetka. I'm also intrigued by Avoca, which is super-small, and the Northfield schools.

But I think the big question is whether you're okay with New Trier. It was ridiculously competitive when I attended and I understand it's so much worse now. And it's so much more materialistic than when I attended. My friends bought their 16 year old a used SUV, and apparently all of her friends got new cars! One of her kids attended a summer camp near Yellowstone and the other went to some academic specialty camp in Texas. And you'd bet these parents are getting tutors for even the strongest students. I've heard parents discussing Ivys when their kids are still in junior high - even though only a small number will make it.

I'd like the elementary schools in the New Trier district, but would like to bail for high school. From what I can tell, other high schools are also excellent, but not quite the same level of pressure cooker. (Glenbrooks, Deerfield, Maine South)

Okay, so I definitely didn't answer your question, but hopefully am a bit helpful? Maybe you can find some Facebook groups to chat with other parents? But it'll be hard to find someone who has relevant experience in both districts.

If you figure out how to tell the amazing schools from the simply good schools, please, please let me know.

Can anyone comment on the progressive educational philosophy at the Winnetka public elementary schools?
I find the concept attractive and like that the district is small enough that they can have a distinct educational style.
Do you know if in reality the Wilmette and Winnetka elementary schools teach in a similar way?
Obviously the outcomes for both are good.
Thanks in advance!